Wolves €40m transfer deal could hinge on Ruben Neves decision

Wolverhampton Wanderers' pursuit of Sporting CP midfielder Matheus Nunes is set to put on hold until Ruben Neves' future is decided, according to reports.

Nunes is a wanted man following an impressive couple of years with the Portuguese side, with Newcastle United and Everton joining Wolves in chasing his signature. The 23-year-old is currently on holiday in Brazil and will make a decision on his future after, with Wolves reportedly willing to pay €40million (£34m) for the deal that would include add-ons.

Bruno Lage will have to play his part in convincing Nunes to join the Black Country outfit, with Champions League football on the horizon at Sporting and no European football at Molineux. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola [via Sport Witness ], the move will have to wait to be concluded until the future of Neves is decided.

Gallery: The wonderkids potentially set to move in the summer transfer window (FourFourTwo)

The 25-year-old has been rumoured to be leaving the club this summer since the end of last season, with Barcelona and Manchester United said to be keen. Wolves are understood to want in excess of £50million for Neves and talks have gone quiet on a potential exit, putting Nunes' move to the Midlands on hold.

A Bola have revealed that Lage's side need the "financial inflow" from the potential exit of Neves before they confirm a new midfielder, putting the Nunes deal in a "blocked" status. The delay is reportedly a key reason as to why Joao Palhinha is close to joining newly-promoted Fulham despite interest from Wolves.

Nunes has previously been reluctant over the idea over making the switch from Lisbon to Wolverhampton, but the report claims the player understands the importance of the fee to the